ENTERTAINMENTS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 206, 20 May 1918, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENTS

THE F.NGLKS PIEEROTS. The tulentsd company of English IMctTols aLtreitcd another crowded attendslice to tlio Concert Uhtui.RCi* ou Saturday i>v»i,iiij, and tKc ruceptifa of Die artists ■•l-.'iHVii Oot 'A'--7 have again cstiibiishra i-hv'i'aitivee vimi ft-'ouritcs in Wellington, 'i'iit fcivrertaiiij'iL-iii provided by the c»iiiluiiiy is cxceerf'iig)/ bright and tuneful, iiMl fiilly nicius !ho rounds of nppluuso ueeurd':d the diferent il.'jiufi in the ilivitsificil r-rogra/niao. fho prcaout proframme wiii Ijo rtpciiteA again this evening. T.Mfi KING'S THEATRK. The Rtar item of the new programme at ' the King's Tl:o;ure ie an unusually interesting foat.ui"j by I'athu, entitled "Conviet 993," ivitl; Mrn. Vernon Castle in the naiue-parl. The I'atho studioa have earned Bonielhing of a reputation for this particular claes of photoplay-whieh <le- [ Plots the aucoessful woman secret service agent—<is has also Mrs. Castle in the portrayal of these pane. ''Convict 993" posrasee a plot that holds the attention from beginning to end. The opening scenes depict the female Convict 993 Mrs. Castle) in prison. There she meets Nova, a fellow-prisoner, who is serving a term for theft. After a timo Convict 993 makes her escape, and is next seen living in a luxurious Hat, aurl apparently is very wealthy. Time passes, and Neva (who is <i member of a clever gang of thieves who have (or year:", bati'lw'. the police) is released from prison. One day in tlco street Neva seee her erstwhile fellowprisoner "993" driving in a motor-car. She immediately follows' her to her home, and levies blackmail. Not content with thin, she sees possibilities of future gains from the select circle in which '993" moves. The gang plan a great coup, which is to take place at a big week-end party given by "993." The gang, feeling secure in the knowledge that the α-rspcd convict "993" dare not speak, lay their plans confidently. The fatal night arrives, and the thieves secure the booty— but they .find the house eurrouuded by police, and the whole .-an; are carlureji. It transpires in the final eceno that tlio supposed Convict 993 is in reality an agent of the secret service, who commenced her hunt for the gang by voluntarily entering the prison and thus obtaining a I clue. The picture is finely produced, with ! an air of realism that is always convincing, and the interest is further stimuhtV-fl | by a well-told love story. The prosrannn includes the latest "Gazette" and the fourteenth instalment of "The Keglected Wife."

EVERYBODY'S TIffiATRE. The sessions at Everybody's Theatre, Mannere Street, were crowded on Saturday, when a new programme was submitted. .The leading attraction of tho series is entitled "Baby Mine," -which is full of serious complications and huniorI ous situations. Two younß ieliowß, who are companions, marry two mutual girl friends. One finds a wife who in all senses of the term is a helpmate, but the other, Alfred (Jlr. Frank Morgan), a serious-minded young man, is soon disillusioned ne to the homely qualities of his bargain. Zoic (Madge Kennedy), a comely-looking little woman, but altogether too fond of theatres, costly sup-' pers, and ether luxuries to suit the taste of her husliand. Eventually, Alfred clears out to Boston, disgusted at learning; that h.in' wife hi'.s bera out to lunch with another man, ond resolved that he shall not return to her. Zoie is really devotedly in lov« --with her husband, and eho and Aggie, her best friend—with -whose husband she had gone to lunch, but purely at hw owe suggestion—fix on a plan to bring Alfred back: they decide to announce the arrival of a baby at the home. 80 Alfred Is "prepared" by a 6orieg of illusions. Apclo'e husband. Jimmie ('Mr. John Cumberland) is commissioned to borrow a baby from a home. Here the trouble commences In earnest. Jimmie finds that he has to steal a baby: the mother gets on his tracks, the nlans are in danger of going wroTig, and he appropriates a set of twins. Meanwhile. Alfrod rotnrr.B home, and the wholo situation becomes very precarious for the conspirators. Alfred begins to navo doubts as to whether he is a father at all, and ultimately Zoic apprises him of tho fact that ehe has resorted to dissimulation in order to induce him to return home. Alfred, who is very fond of children, is disappointed at this, but in the end he and Zoic cro reconciled and all cuds happily. Tho remainder of the itema on the programme are of a high order of merit, particularly ilackcrol Fiehing in Canada," a fine educational subject. "Pathe's Gazette also contains a number of scenes dealing with oventß connected with tho great war. EMPRESS THEATRE.

"Stranded," the star film showing this week at the Empress Theatre, Is a romantic drama from the Triangle studio. The story is original, and gets away from the beaten track. ■ The heroine in Bessio Love, who is supported by De Wolf Hopper in tho role of a broliciwlown Shakespearean actor. Those two happen to be members of a vaudeville troupe which is stranded and on the point of bankruptcy. There nlro some touching scenes nnd tenso incidents, while an interesting romautic story is cleverly worked out. The film is one that will nppeal to picture patrons. "A Laundry Clean Up," a Triangle comedy, is decidedly humorous and in quite a natural way. There is plenty of comic Incident in it. "In the Land of Dreams," a Pathe scenic, and the "Topical Tludget," dealing with functions and incidents of the day, make up a very attractive programme.

tJUEEN'S THEATHE. At the Queen's Theatre this week tiiere is showing a powerful Fox film drama, entitled "The Silent Lie," in which Miriam Coopor, who had a very prominent part in the great picture, "Intolerance." is featured. The drama dais with NorthWestern America and the snows and sibnt placee of that mysterious country. The scenery is quite uniciue in film photography, for some of tho scenes were taken during a snow-storm. Tho story is interesting, aud there are some very thrilling incidents. The supporting pictures include a eociety drama, "The Dancer, in which the foiblcß of society and Its other idiosyncrasies are depicted. For those who relish a good laugh there Is a two-reel comedy, entitled "Paste ana Politics," which should satisfy everyone.

"COUE INSIDE." For many years paet vieiting costume comedy coinpanies have been popular ■with New Zealand audiences, and the Royal Strollers, who, under the direction of J. and N. Tait, paid a visit some two years ago, became very popular. In the interim Jlr. Sydney Jamee, who is tho originator of the company, has realised that the public require something bigger musically, and the original Uo'yal Strollers got together a revue company of considerablo numerical strength, and it is said or even greater artistic quality, and he will, by arrargement- with Mr. Scott Colvillo, commence a season at the Grand Opera House on Wednesday, May 20, whon the latest revue "dome Inside will be prceenTea for the first titte in Wellington. It is predicted that local theatregoers will have no reaeou to' complnin of the fare presented. The. successful revuo is that which, by the individual or concerted efforts of the arti3ts, gives to the audience an entertainment which appeals and satisfies all tastea. There is drama, opora, vaudeville, burlesqiiQ, vocal and instrumental items, ballets, sketches, travesties and skits on topical subjects, all wrapped up In the shroud of a plot and the result is that the entertainment is said to be to the liking of the most fußtuUous. The Wellington season is a limited one, and the programme will be changed frequently. The box plans for the season open at tho Bristol on Monday morning next.